Has the Oppo carried the AV industry?

Keep in mind the perspective here is based on the question "is an Oppo worth the extra few hundred bucks over an el cheapo player. Since this decision made is typically in the context of a "modest" system, I can see how in some cases the answer is no.

For a vast number of prospective Oppo buyers, the question is hte exact opposite, i.e. "can I get away with using an El Cheapo Oppo in my high end system, and forgo the megabucks player"? A very high number of "high-end" users appear to be concluding YES, which is testimony to the quality of the player.
Edorr

+2 on these comments

So, as opposed to paying $1000 for an ALL-IN-ONE, could I do even better results using $350 deal on a used trasport, $500 high performance dedicated DAC, and a $150 top Sony Bluplayer with SACD? How far better accross the board is my $1000 Oppo investment?
Avgoround

Maybe better, maybe not. One other thing that should be mentioned is that your setup introduces 3 boxes plus cabling which after adding the costs of the ICs is probably more expensive than the Oppo one-box solution. For some, the convenience there, in addition to the experiences as shared by many others above, makes it hard to ignore. And deserves the praise it gets.

And, Avgoround, would you mind putting in paragraph breaks in your posts? It makes it easier to read. Thanks.

Schubert,

Yes, my friend has a Cambridge universal and it's very obvious comparing the back panel of this to the Oppo 105 that they're almost identical. The front panels are not even close to identical but both look very nice and perform great.

I think there are a few other brands that utilize the Oppo's video and audio tech in their high priced, nicely recased units. I know that Oppo Digital is a U.S. registered company based in Mountain View, Calif. I think this company is just a 'front' for the Chinese Oppo company but am not totally clear on the relationship.

I'd prefer to buy American but I don't think there is a universal player built here that is anywhere near the quality and affordability of the 105. I'm thrilled with the performance of this beauty in all areas: video, 2 channel audio, ease of connectivity with my laptop, JRMC and a NAS for hi-rez computer audio. I'm hooking it up direct from the Oppo's 'Dedicated Stereo' outputs to my main amp via xlr cables for stereo and direct from the Oppo's 'Analog 7.1' outputs to my surround amps via rca cables.

The Oppo even has a feature I wasn't aware of until after setup: it automatically plays back in either stereo or multi-ch depending on inputted signal. This is enabled simply by configuring one setting in the 'Setup' menu. So, my VTL 2.5 preamp and Parasound AV2500 processor were no longer necessary since the 105 functions as both a very good preamp and a very good surround processor. I have a buyer for both components and I'll be selling them both for about the price of the 105 ($1,200). This, in effect, enabled me to make a major upgrade to my system sound wise, as well as enabling me to begin using hi-rez computer files, and I gained a first class bluray/SACD/DVD-A player to boot all for no cost. I am completely pleased with this versatile and high quality machine. It even retains its resale market value. Best component I've bought thus far.

Don't hesitate if you're considering buying an Oppo 103 or 105,
Tim



Thanks,
Tim

Oppo's are way OVER-RATED! They are all hype. The BDP-103 is junk IMO. Flakey and nothing special

Avgoround,

Did you ever decide to do the right thing and buy an Oppo?

I'm thinking you probably did since you have not posted anything to this thread since 4/30/2013. I'm thinking you're too busy just enjoying the hell out of your new Oppo and loving your single box wonder box.

As I said earlier, I just bought an Oppo 105 and I'm just enjoying the hell out of it, myself. I find myself having the same thoughts and impressions on my 105 that Sonicbeauty has described. The only thing close to negative I would say about this unit is that they're made in China, not here in the U.S. They are sold and supported through an American registered company, Oppo Digital, but I think this is just a 'front' company for the Chinese registered Oppo.

Just in case you haven't come to your senses yet and bought an Oppo and for anyone else considering a purchase, I'll describe what it has brought to my system and why I'm so convinced of its many benefits to any music lover's system.

1. Versatility- The Oppo plays almost any optical disc format: bluray, cd, sacd, dvd-a and cd-rom. It also functions as a limited input preamp and a surround sound processor.
After setup in my system, the 105 allowed me to no longer require the services of my tubed VTL 2.5 preamp or my Parasound AV2500 surround processor. I'm currently planning on selling both units to a friend for about the 105's cost ($1,200). The 105, connected directly from its 'Dedicated Stereo' outputs to my main amp's inputs via xlr cables, has matched the sweetness and dimensionality of my former Sony DP-7700 universal cd/dvd player combined with my Mullard tubed VTL 2.5 preamp. I also sense the noise floor is lower which enhances detail retrieval and perceived dynamic range.

2. Functions as a high quality DAC, Digital Media Player (DMP) and Digital Media Renderer (DMR)- By using my laptop running JRiver Media Center software($50), a Synology single bay NAS with a 2 TB Seagate hard drive($250 total), Seagate Backup Plus 2 TB backup hard drive($95) and the Oppo supplied USB wi-fi dongle, I'm now able to stream my entire 'ripped' cd collection and high-resolution(24/96 and 24/192) music downloads wirelessly to the 105 and, through its excellent Saber dacs and output stage, play them back through my system. The hi-res files sound awesome and even my cds sound better played back this way (lower jitter?). I plan on testing the 105's DSD capabilities in the near future, also.

3. Sound Quality- Whether I'm watching a movie, watching Directv or listening to music, the sound quality is very high and exceded my expectations. The Oppo's setup and configuration settings require a monitor but are very easy to use even without reading the manual. The decoded surround sound is much better than my former, and admittedly much older, Parsound's ability. Once I position my Magnepans out about 4-5ft away from the front wall into the room, the sound quality is stunning. The soundstage presented is wide, deep and 3 dimensional with plenty of detail and a definite 'in the room' realism that I really enjoy. I was concerned some of these qualities would be missing with the VTL(and Mullard tubes)out of the system but it sounds just as sweet when the music calls for it.

4. Simplicity- With my music preamp and surround processor removed from my system, my rack just consists of the Oppo 105 on the top rack with my main amp and 2 surround amps on the shelf below. My NAS and backup drive are located out of sight by my router in my lower level family room. I'm sitting about 12ft away from my system with just my laptop running JRMC. I'm able to view my entire music collection on the laptop and control playback of anything I want to listen to. I almost feel guilty about how convenient my music playback has become.....almost. I'm also able to store and playback my video collection if I want to. We're all aware of how exhausting it can be to get up off our lazy asses and actually put a bluray into the player and trudge all 12ft back to your chair and then, on top of all that, have to press the 'play' button.

5. Picture Quality- the Oppos are also superior video players with built in QDEO video processing. You get a great picture whether watching regular cable/satellite or watching a bluray or DVD disk.

OK, I'll stop there even though I probably left out a few additional features like the headphone amp, internet radio streaming, excellent customer support and service, etc. Anyways, I think you've gathered by now that I'm kind of digging my Oppo 105.

So Avgoround, I hate to tell you this but the hype and praise are all accurate; the Oppos are awesome. Hopefully, you came to your senses and know this firsthand.

Just to be clear, I have no association with Oppo. I'm just I'm just a big fan of excellent a/v quality and value.

Tim

Noble100, I know you are a " long-timer" on Audiogon and one whose posts have always been intelligent and informative .

But , on a music only system, I'm having a hard time wrapping my mind around a 105 being a sub for a VTL pre.
But then , as I said, I always respect you posts.